It has been widely reported across the news wires that Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has released a financial regulation reform bill. Through tough regulation, it will seek financial stability and consumer financial protection and justice.
We in the working/middleclass are being stripped of what little equity we have accumulated. We are forced to accept sub-standard wages, less employer benefits and in millions of cases...under/un-employment.
You can bet, the republicans and blue dog democrats are already planning on voting NO and introducing countless amendments to weaken or water down the legislation. You can be assured, they are planning endless delays. They will follow the same game plan as they did and are doing with health care. Joined by the wallets, the republicans and blue dog democrats will be relentless with their shady tactics.
We OFA members must become active again and counter their corruptive efforts. We cannot and should not expect President Barack Obama to fight this second front alone. It is time to gather the troops and bring re-enforcements to the already tired progressives on capitol hill. Stand-up and plan a strategy on how to bring aid to our fellow progressives. I still have hope, I know you do to. Stand-up, smile and be proud of what you are doing. You are not alone.
2010 Year of the Bible by Paul Broun AP/Photo
Happy New Year of The Bible 2010 by Paul Broun
On our countdown to a new year in 2010, Paul Broun (R-Ga.) wants everyone to ring in the “Year of the Bible”. He wants to pass legislation to honor the good book. Opposition is strong in the Democratic party, but whats the big deal? We’re already burning them suckers in Afghanistan. I wrote a post about it, and got negative feedback from every dem, saying I’m a GOP’r in disguise. In fact, I’m just a student pointing out similarities between different governments past and present. That isn’t choosing sides at all. When people see a political blog, they are automatically trying to figure out what party I am affiliated with. None. Well, whoever decides to pay me the most. Just kidding(That’s illegal for all you kids out there, no selling votes.) Sorry for ranting but I’ve been enraged at some of my readers that just don’t get the whole picture. Someone said I’m a Christian that hates America. No, I’m a Christian that loves America; the thought of America more like it. It used to stand for something, and all I see and read is how far it has gone from what our forefathers set forth to achieve. I am not ashamed of being an American. Our differences are what makes this country unique. I say instead of the “Year of the Bible”, we just go with the Chinese astrology and name it after an animal. Or we can ring in the New Year as a world united. All across Washington people are joking about what year its going to be after that. Year of the encyclopedia? Quran? Las Vegas escort Pamphlets? Whatever the year, I’ll be ringing it in with a smile, knowing I’m in a country that spends too much time on a stupid idea. Hey Paul Broun, think of a way to get your ass back to work on important things.
Greetings fellow Obama Supporters!
I trust that you are all doing well, and that you continue to support PRESIDENT OBAMA in his efforts to deliver on the promises he made during the 2008 Campaign. For the latest examples, have a look at an outstanding example of transparency just released today: Data.gov. This and other resources are always available on the the White House website.
On this topic of transparency in our government, I'm sure you've heard about the new legislation passed by Congress to improve fairness for consumers with respect to Credit Card providers. I hope you are also aware that the NRA and their political bloc managed to insert an addendum to this bill that has absolutely NOTHING to do with consumer lending practices. The addendum was to reverse a previous legal statute that prohibits carrying concealed weapons within our National Parks.
THIS is an outrageous example of the same OLD political process, concealing the work of special interests and hijacking the legislative process to achieve a goal that would not be achievable in an "open" process. Our democratic process will only survive if we take an active role in OUR government. WE must hold our legislators accountable to be sure that our representative government is truly representing US!
A decade after safety concerns were first raised by experts, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted public hearings on Diacetyl – a chemical widely used to flavor microwave popcorn. The public comment period ended on April 21st.
Recent studies show laboratory mice made to inhale diacetyl vapors for just three months developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis.
Popcorn producers are not required to label Diacetyl separately, and may list it under a general heading on labels as a flavoring ingredient.
Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy Director David Michaels says: “This is an example of a potentially toxic substance receiving GRAS (generally recognized as safe) designation without undergoing adequate testing. It’s also an example of how our key public health agencies rely on chemical manufacturers themselves to provide critical health effects data. Whether food additives, pesticides, or industrial chemicals, the public's health and safety should not rely solely on industry affirmations.”
OSHA Closes Hearing For Diacetyl RulemakingOSHA intends the term ``diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl'' to encompass other constituents of food flavorings containing diacetyl. In addition to information on diacetyl, OSHA seeks information on acetoin, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, furfural, and other compounds present in food flavorings that may cause or contribute to flavoring-related lung disease. OSHA is also interested in and seeks information about diacetyl present in substances other than food flavorings (e.g., naturally occurring diacetyl or diacetyl in fragrances) as well as substitutes used in place of diacetyl (e.g., diacetyl trimer). The information received in response to this document will assist the Agency in developing a proposed standard addressing occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl. The Comment period ended April 21, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-1125.htm
OSHA Closes Hearing For Diacetyl Rulemaking
OSHA intends the term ``diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl'' to encompass other constituents of food flavorings containing diacetyl. In addition to information on diacetyl, OSHA seeks information on acetoin, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, furfural, and other compounds present in food flavorings that may cause or contribute to flavoring-related lung disease. OSHA is also interested in and seeks information about diacetyl present in substances other than food flavorings (e.g., naturally occurring diacetyl or diacetyl in fragrances) as well as substitutes used in place of diacetyl (e.g., diacetyl trimer). The information received in response to this document will assist the Agency in developing a proposed standard addressing occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl. The Comment period ended April 21, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-1125.htm
Despite lawsuit verdicts in the millions, finding in favor of microwave popcorn factory workers and against Diacetyl, neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the Consumer Product Safety Commission have investigated.
In 2000, OSHA conducted several studies that confirmed the link between occupational exposure the artificial butter flavoring Diacetyl and lung diseases.
In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Diacetyl investigation findings were distributed privately to the popcorn industry.
In 2006, two labor unions petitioned the OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard on Diacetyl to protect workers in the food and flavorings industries. More than 42 scientists and public health experts signed a letter supporting the petition.
In 2007, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WT) Chair HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, wrote to FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, and CDC Director Julie Gerberding. They also wrote to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, asking for an Emergency Temporary Standard to protect workers from Diacetyl – an action supported by unions and manufacturers. No action has been taken.
In 2008, by a vote of 260 to 154, the US House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2693, the Popcorn Workers Lung Disease Prevention Act. The vote demonstrates the widespread recognition that OSHA failed to protect workers and Congress needed to act. To date, the Senate has not acted.
California
In 2008, our State Senate passed SB 456: Diacetyl Toxic Substance Ban, a bill that bans diacetyl, a vapor used in the production of microwave popcorn, pancake syrup, cakes, candies, frozen foods, and other products that has been associated to lung illness. The bill currently sits in the Health Committee.
Similarly, scientists and consumer groups point to a much larger health problem posed by unlabeled genetically modified organisms, also permitted by the FDA to enter the food supply under the GRAS designation several years ago.
The OSHA contact for this Emergency Temporary Standard rulemaking (numbered RIN 1218-AC33) is Dorothy Dougherty, director of the Directorate of Standards and Guidance (202-693-1950, dougherty.dorothy@dol.gov).
Reader Note: Andrew Schneider, a two-time Pulitzer prize winning journalist broke this story several years ago. I recommend reading his reports for additional information.
CAPITOL CONNECTIONA Weekly Update of News and ViewsFor Opinion Shapers and Policy MakersCongressman Gary G. Miller42nd District, CaliforniaBipartisan Legislation Introduced to Prevent Kidnappings by Family MembersThis week, Congressman Miller joined Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey in reintroducing the Family Abduction Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation will crack down and prevent the abduction of children by family members. Annually, approximately 200,000 children are abducted by family members, compared with 58,000 incidents involving nonfamily members. Despite the fact that such incidents account for over 75 percent of all child abductions, most local law enforcement agencies lack written guidelines for such cases, or do not have the protocols necessary to help facilitate a child’s recovery. The Family Abduction Prevention Act would address these weaknesses by providing matching grants to state and local agencies to strengthen family abduction prevention programs and raise awareness of this ongoing issue. He is proud to support this legislation and believes that it is crucial we provide states with the resources necessary to guard children from this real and prevalent threat.
Initiated by:Myra Spearman,Founder of The Weaker Vessel.http://www.domesticviolencedatabase.org/Contact:Illinois State Rep. Bob Pritchardbob@pritchardstaterep.comThe push for Duncan and Jack's Law came as the result of the deaths of Duncan and Jack Connolly, at the hands of their non-custodial father, Michael Connolly. Michael had a documented history of mental instability, threats of violence and death, domestic violence and family violence that forced the boys mom, Amy Leichtenberg, to repeatedly obtain Order's of Protection.There were far too many errors in the Judicial System that preceeded the abduction of the boys. And then, after they were abducted... the ridiculous errors continued.
WASHINGTON – The House Veterans' Affairs Committee has voted to reappoint Democrat Congressman John Hall of Dover Plains as chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. Hall was appointed as chairman of the Subcommittee in 2007 as a freshman lawmaker.
"The ability to work on the Veterans' Affairs Committee to make sure disabled veterans get the benefits they have earned is truly my greatest honor in Congress," said Hall. "I want to continue serving as the voice of Hudson Valley veterans in Congress and ensure that our government lives up to its sacred contract with veterans."
As chairman of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee last term, Congressman Hall wrote and passed into law groundbreaking legislation to overhaul the Veterans Administration's disability claims bureaucracy.
Hall said his top priority is to reduce the backlog of 800,000 disability claims at the VA. "Overseeing the implementation of my reform bill is going to play a big role in cutting through the VA's red tape to get veterans their benefits faster and easier,” he said. “As part of this, we must recognize PTSD and other mental injuries as war wounds and give veterans the appropriate treatment and care for these disabling injuries without forcing them to jump through unnecessary hoops."Hall was also appointed as a member of the Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation and will also continue serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
John Hall's Web Link: http://johnhall.house.gov/issue_veteransaffairs.asp
You see I know from personal experience that things often don’t end the way they do in the movies. I did everything right, went to college, worked for over thirty years, had good credit, paid my bills on time etc. Unfortunately I got sick in America. After a freak accident, I almost died, had to have brain surgery, and now have several incurable autoimmune diseases. That was hard enough to deal with, but when I filed a claim to get a government insurance policy (Social Security Disability Insurance) that I paid for every week out of my wages, just like many of you do, my life was permanently destroyed with the stroke of a pen, by a government worker to whom I was just an SS number, and who did not do their job properly. I lost all my life savings, and pension money while fighting for my benefits, and will never be able to recover from the emotional, physical and financial devastation that had on my life.
Unlike Frank Capra’s character George Bailey, there are no bailouts for me, or others like me. While family and friends have good intentions, they are not much better off either, so they really can’t help like they might want to, and I don’t qualify for Social Service programs. I don’t know how I am going to survive without some miracle like winning the lottery. I am now doomed to spend what’s left of my days here on earth, living in poverty, in addition to all my medical concerns. I will never be able to own a home, or get another car. My current vehicle which is on death’s door, is the only method of transportation I have for survival. Then there is always the struggle of deciding whether I should buy food, or get medicine, that much needed medical test, or see the doctor instead. When things break down now, I cannot fix them and have to do without. This totally unbearable, continuing source of stress and frustration, is killing me. I tell you this not for pity but to warn you that anyone of you reading this could end up just like me, and have your life changed forever by an unfortunate illness, accident, vicious act, service to our country or natural disaster. Remember that disease and tragedy do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex or race, and if you think this could not happen to you – you could be dead wrong, just like over 16,000 Americans in the last two years who did not survive the wait to get their Social Security Disability benefits.
Since most of our elected officials will probably never experience this scenario personally, because they usually have a nice financial cushion to fall back on, I don’t see any hope for change in regards to this problem, no matter who is in office. Let’s be brutally honest here. The first thing to get cut in local, state and federal budgets is always the money to fund programs that help the people who need it most. This problem has festered for decades and nobody is going to convince me that they don’t want us to give up or die. They continually talk about helping the upper class and the middle class. What about the millions of Americans that do not fit either of those categories? Thanks to their neglect of our situations, they continue to prove that they have no class. The only thing that ever trickles down to us is too nasty a word to mention, and the only light at the end of the tunnel is a freight train! Buildings are not built from the top down, and a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. You can judge a country by how it treats it’s most vulnerable citizens, and we have been left to die in the streets, and on hospital waiting room floors. Based on what I have seen, heard, and personally experienced, America should hang its head in shame! Unfortunately for myself, and others like me it’s not such a wonderful life. There is no possibility of the American dream, only the reality of the American nightmare. My only hope is that it never happens to you.
Dear Barack,
If you ever read these things, and I highly doubt that you will ever see this, we really need to talk!
The rest of my horror story can be found on my website “A Bump On The Head” at:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~lindaf1/bump.html
LJ Fullerton - Social Security Disability Coalition
Senators Feinstein and Bennett Urge DC Government To Reverse Emergency Alcohol Law
WASHINGTON, DC / Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), and Senator Bob Bennett, Member of the JCCIC and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, today urged the Mayor and City Council of Washington, DC to reverse the emergency legislation passed last week to allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol until 5 am during the week of the inauguration.
“We have reached out to Mayor Fenty and Council Chairman Vincent Gray because of our grave concerns about the unintended consequences of this legislation,” said Senator Feinstein.
“What is clearly meant as a boon to local businesses may instead create tremendous problems for already overwhelmed law enforcement agencies.”
“Security needs to be the number one priority during the Inaugural ceremonies and extending the sale of alcohol until 5 am in DC will only divert law enforcement resources away from their primary focus on security measures and crowd safety,” said Senator Bennett.
Text of the JCCIC Letter
Dear Mayor Fenty and Council Chairman Gray: We are writing today to urge that City Council and the Mayor reverse emergency legislation approved by the Council last week that permits nightclubs, bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages until 5 a.m. for four nights during the Inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President. With projections as high as 4 million people planning to visit the city during this time period, we are deeply concerned that the plan approved by the City Council could seriously strain law enforcement resources that need to be focused on the large crowds and security requirements of the Inaugural and its impact on the City. There is great cause for celebration at this historic event. But we believe that the benefits of this emergency legislation, passed with little public notice, are far outweighed by its possible consequences. We understand the pressures you face from the different constituencies in your city. But we also know the importance of standing firm to ensure the safety of residents, workers and visitors who will be in Washington, D.C., participating in this historic event.” Sincerely, Robert F Bennett and Dianne Feinstein
Dear Mayor Fenty and Council Chairman Gray:
We are writing today to urge that City Council and the Mayor reverse emergency legislation approved by the Council last week that permits nightclubs, bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages until 5 a.m. for four nights during the Inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President.
With projections as high as 4 million people planning to visit the city during this time period, we are deeply concerned that the plan approved by the City Council could seriously strain law enforcement resources that need to be focused on the large crowds and security requirements of the Inaugural and its impact on the City.
There is great cause for celebration at this historic event. But we believe that the benefits of this emergency legislation, passed with little public notice, are far outweighed by its possible consequences.
We understand the pressures you face from the different constituencies in your city. But we also know the importance of standing firm to ensure the safety of residents, workers and visitors who will be in Washington, D.C., participating in this historic event.”
Sincerely,
Robert F Bennett and Dianne Feinstein
UPDATE: I spoke with the Mayor's office this morning. They stated that there will be another meeting on this issue in the near future. I recommend those reading this post call the Mayor and cast your vote for security.
The number for Mayor Fenty is 202.727.5011 - Vincent Gray's number is 202.724.8032
The People of the State of Michigan enact: the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.With the recent passage of Michigan's LEGISLATION, the relative state department must Promulgate Rules by which to function effectively. While there is now hope where there was none, these rules will either assist or be a hindrance to the patient.While this Law allows the patient or a "primary caregiver" to grow and provide the Marijuana for the patient, this dictates the patient or caregiver have the necessary skills, equipment, space, finances and time to dedicate to this task full time.Under Michigan Law, a designated caregiver can assist up to 5 patients. This would serve to pool the resources together more efficiently, providing one space, shared equipment cost and presumably a designated "primary caregiver" who is a professional grower.Today in California, of which the Michigan legislation was designed has had a set back handed down by their State Supreme Court which may affect the Promulgation of our Rules moving forward.California Supreme Court Ruling Limits Medical Marijuana DistributionNovember 24th, 2008 In an important legal case decided today that cannabis reform advocates have been waiting on for nearly two years, the California Supreme Court ruled that criminal defendants are not entitled to a defense as Proposition 215 (Prop 215) caregivers if their primary role is only to supply marijuana to patients.
"The Mentch decision highlights the inadequacy of California's current medical marijuana supply system," California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer told the Indy Bay News . "The law needs to allow for professional licensed growers, as with other medicinal herbs."Full text of the People vs. Mentch is found here~@~The problem with this decision as well as the system set up to provide a "primary caregiver" status is that now the California Supreme Court is mandating these caregivers be relatives, personal friends and attendants, nurses. There are two problems with this finding, first those designated are not qualified to grow Marijuana and the second issue is that of the allowance for a "primary caregiver" to assist up to 5 patients. How many of your relatives and personal friends know 5 people who are legally allowed by state law to use marijuana for medical purposes ? Now expand that criteria throughout the entire state and apply it to the individual families of patients.Wanted: Full Time professional licensed growersWhile I am confident that I shall be approved under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, as it is currently being developed I am afraid it will be of no use to me.My individual circumstance is such that I live alone, in a one bedroom apartment on a fixed income which is under the level of poverty. Therefore I am unable to afford the cost of the equipment needed to grow marijuana indoors. I am unable to afford the cost of the energy needed to run a lighting system 24/7 for 90 days straight.I have one friend who has served as a primary caregiver for me when I needed assistance yet, he knows absolutely nothing about growing marijuana. Plus, he barely has time due to his working two jobs just to support himself.As this law stands today, passed by the people of Michigan, while I qualify for coverage under the law I am unable to take advantage of this program due to the stringent requirements related to growing the plants.The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act rules have not been written as yet.I wish to ask everyone to assist me by writing The Bureau of Health Professions (BHP) within the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and lend your voice on this issue with my concerns in mind.http://www.michigan.gov/mdchI believe the best way forward, under the conditions spelled out in this legislation is for patients to organize under cooperatives and collectives with Full Time professional licensed growers.My preference would be to grow my marijuana in the soil, under the sun. That option is not allowed under this law because it calls for the marijuana to be grown in a locked, enclosed room.Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
Change is inevitable. It is part of the evolutionary process that every company must endure. Yet change can be disruptive, difficult and dearly-won.
Change agents are those natural individuals who thrive on making change happen. Selected from within various levels of the organization, based on their individual skills and capabilities, the onus of guiding the organization forward rests on the shoulders of these individuals.
Considering the critical nature of this role, the careful selection and mentoring of change agents is vital to the success or failure of the change process. This article will focus on some practical tips for mentoring change — contributed by managers that have seen all sides of the change process.
Should the change agent be someone with considerable managerial experience i.e. from the top management or should individuals from the lower rungs be trained and equipped to induce change?
Staci H. Zake, program director in Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Communication (MSC) program (www.msc.northwestern.edu), an interdisciplinary one-year professional master’s program designed to address organizational and technological factors shaping managerial decision-making, understands the importance of bottom-up innovation where there is often greater ownership related to the success of the initiative.
“Only managers living with the organization change can truly understand how well innovation is working and where further adjustments need to be made. Forcing change from the top can have negative consequences when senior management doesn’t fully understand the nuances of change or the human impact,” Zake says.
Coley Perry, sales and marketing manager with Naperville, IL-based Solution Partners, a technology staff augmentation firm, and a student in the MSC program, points out leadership characteristics to watch for when evaluating the potential for good change leaders.
“If you are looking for a change agent or how to mentor them you need to look for the following: climbers within the organization, politically savvy individuals within your organization, charismatic individuals, and people who understand and embrace evolutionary (not revolutionary) change,” says Perry.
Change agents from within the organization are likely to posses a deeper understanding of internal issues, politics and challenges. This knowledge places them in a better position to garner support from across the ranks.
JR Samples, president of Accountability Partners, an executive coaching firm located in Aurora, IL urges organizations to identify “undercover” change agents. “Find the grass root change agents. These are people on your staff working in a full-time role who are savvy enough to find a market opportunity or a method of improving a process to increase productivity and customer satisfaction,” Samples says.
It is up to the organization to identify potential change agents, understand their capabilities and mentor them to achieve their full potential. Change agents have to influence organizational behavior. They have to challenge existing practices including the accepted culture and introduce changes in the process followed by the organization.
To ensure this, the manager/mentor needs to first provide them with a broad understanding of the need for change. The change agent has to understand the goal of the change process, and its short term and long term impact. The mentor should focus on aligning the change agent with the overall organizational goal before authorizing them to effect change in others.
Dana Sacks, Vice President of Human Resources for PepsiAmericas, emphasizes the importance of defining the desired change rationally. According to Sacks, this helps put reasonable goals in place and ensures the change agent has the right tools to make the change happen.
“One of the most important things that change agents need to do up front is make sure that the nature and scope of the project is very clear so that expectations can be set,” said Sacks. “Some of the areas to focus on are whether the project involves strategy and design or just assistance with implementation. Also, determining whether behavioral changes will be important - as changing behavior is very complicated.”
Lyn Bulman, EVP Global Human Resources at Fellowes, agrees with Sacks. She feels it is necessary to understand the critical success factors in order to effectively cultivate a change agent.
“Enthusiasm and support are easy to provide. The challenge is to ensure that the change is effective, by ensuring that the change-agent knows how their work fits with the overall direction of the company. It’s important to start with a vision of what success will look like and how it can be measured. That way, everyone can identify the benefits,” adds Bulman.
To gain the necessary skills the change agent or the mentee should have a learning attitude. Change is a learning process and no one ever knows it all right from the start. In change, nothing ever goes exactly according to plan so change agents must be able to identify issues as they arise, learn new ways to cope and effectively implement new plans.
The most successful change agents will not only be open to new ideas but they will actively pursue them – within and outside of the organization.
David Chun, CEO of Equilar, (www.equilar.com), an executive compensation benchmarking organization, believes the mentor should tap the mentees’ inherent desire to learn and succeed. Chun points out that analyzing success factors is not always complicated. It can be as simple as noting whether or not someone is built to be a change agent. According to Chun, in general, people will fall into one of two camps — ones that thrive on change and ones that don’t. He feels there is no sense investing time and resources in the latter group. “Before you even begin to mentor someone, make sure change is wired in their DNA,” said Chun
Patience and empathy are essential for implementing a change strategy, and especially important to setting expectations and project scope.
Managers, continues Manthey should embrace being a change agent. A manager needs to understand what makes his or her people “tick”. It’s the manager’s responsibility to understand what drives his people so he can speak to them in a way that influences behavior. By understanding where the target is coming from and what the target is bringing to the table a change agent is able to speak them in a way that can influence behavior. Influence over the behavior of others is ultimately what being a change agent is all about.
It is a given that resistance to change will happen. The mentor needs to gauge whether this resistance is the initial psychological reaction to question the need for change or whether there are other underlying issues. Human nature is selfish and it’s no different in change management. People will resist change when the benefits are not immediately visible. The mentor should overcome the initial resistance by outlining the likely benefits and the expected positive outcome.
Resistance is not an indication of the mentees failure to cooperate. Neither is it a reflection of a poor change strategy. On the contrary, resistance is an indication of the fact that the mentor is making progress.
John Aiello, CEO of The SAVO Group, says resistance should be embraced and viewed as a learning opportunity. “When trying to be a catalyst for change, remember that it is human nature for people to hear about change and first ask ‘what is in it for me? Rather than take that as a push-back or obstacle, embrace that feeling and let it help you refine not only the ideas but how you communicate them and motivate toward them,” says Aiello.
PepsiAmerica’s Sacks emphasizes strong communication for keeping things and people on task. A well thought out communication plan is critical to the success of the change initiative. Any change initiative is fraught with myriad risks. A communication plan defines the roles and responsibilities of the mentor and the mentee, and provides a plan of action in the event of an emergency.
Regular communication is necessary to ensure the mentor and the mentee continue to remain on the same page. The message of change has to be constantly reiterated till it’s embedded in the DNA of the organization. “There’s nothing worse than pushing a boulder uphill,” says Sacks. “As with everything else, a great communication plan that addresses the different audiences with the right media and message is critical. It makes things go as smoothly as possible.”
The mentor should provide the mentee with a risk free environment to make mistakes. Psychological safety is an important factor in successful change management. It encourages the mentee to explore ideas and be creative and innovative. This approach encourages the mentee to look for opportunities for improvement and reward their results.
Accountability Partner’s J.R. Samples says “A simple way to implement suggestions is to make it a point to let your staff know operational recommendations are expected. Your role is to highlight the people bringing ideas to the front. Make it a point to ask every week, ask different people and to publish the ideas prominently: Survey your people for broken processes - you will likely get a lot of suggestions. Compile it into a list and ask the staff to force rank them. Take the top 3 and tell your staff over the next 10 days to note anything that supports this reason for this being a broken process. This will actually ferret out the emotional “I just don’t like abc” processes from real ones that need attention. In the second 10 days, ask for recommendations on improving the process. At the end of this process ask your staff to force rank the suggestions. Take the top idea and over the next 10 days implement on a pilot basis.”
The organization should set up a strong support structure in order to transform the mentees into an effective body of change agents. Even though you’ve carefully designed your communications and training, it’s implausible to expect everyone to understand your message right away. Having the expectation that everyone will get it the first time around is setting up, not only for failure, but for resistance. Playing the blame game compounds an already murky situation.
Instead, Gerry Mann, Web Development Manager at Unitrin Business Insurance, encourages building a support structure within the change agent team.
Mann feels it requires a tremendous amount of emotional energy to effect change in an organization. “To sustain your elite cadre of change agents, there needs to be a structure for change agent peers to support each other, inside and outside of the organization. In my view, it is important to keep in touch with others doing the same work to share successes, issues and jointly look for answers to difficult problems,” Mann says.
According Sandee Kastrul, founder of I.C.Stars, (www.icstars.org) a Chicago-based non-profit organization that uses full immersion teaching to help future leaders develop skills in business and technology, trust and follow-through go hand in hand when mentoring change leaders.
“The beauty of mentoring a change agent is that you are walking through change together,” said Kastrul. “If you are mentoring someone to be a change agent and you yourself are not a change agent, they won’t trust your ability to drive change. Trust and follow-through are based in reciprocity – the mentor and the mentee are teaching and learning together. The mentor can only be trusted when he or she shares failure as well as success. The process of sharing and following-through is how trust is established.”
---------what is up with police forcing citizens into mental health ward against their will? Police are not mental health doctors let alone judges, so why are they embarking on areas they have no experience in? Allowing police to do this is in itself abuse of authority. I say that because obviously police are not medically college educated to assess citizens who 'may have' a mental illness.
What happens if a bobbie {cop} wants a little pay back and deliberatley diagnoses a citizen with a mental illness that doesn't have one? What if this person who is purposly wronged, fraudulently diagnosed, is forced against his will into 72 hour lock down? It's the point...in the matter. ,
[(I have witnessed this type of behavior before by bobbies looking to discredit accused whistleblower in order to clear themselfes of any wrong doing. Label a change agent as schitzophrenic, as to imply the individual is a threat to himself or the public. Accuse change agent of threatening the Chief of police with a gun (when he did not threaten anyone, when what he was really doing was telling Human rights advocate that his life was threatened; police officer threatened to kill him if he didn't shut his mouth) So in sayng if you do the right thing; serve your country by protecting subordinates lives, expect the superiors to punish you for it
Pushing for change in order to protect officers lives while they are in the field....isn't really whistleblowing, it is in fact advocating on the behalf of officers lives. If the training is in question then the right thing to do would be to challange that training by pushing to correct what is wrong! If saving officers lives is classified as a mental illness, then what does that say about superiors mind set? Doesn't say they support and defend their subordinates now does it? No it doesn't!! it says superiors would much rather place their subordinates into harms way in order to benefit their own political agenda...whatever that may be. Probably a new job elsewhere perhaps higher rank?
Never the less it is cruel and selfish to place subordinates into harms way; expect officers to disregard procedure in favor of carrying out an illegal order. All in favor of what securing superiors political agenda? really? Why, why is it superiors are more important then the subordinates? HU? because i don't see the importance, not one damn bit. Superiors are in the position of SERVANT not master. This master/slave shit has got to go. It is my opinion for a superior to implement policy that endanders subordinates lives is an automatic dis service to country and anyone who provides a dis service to country, should be denied his/her citizenship. Who cares who you are, or who you think you are, your a dishonorable piece of *%#@ TRAITOR!
Am I passionate about advocating on the behalf of subordinates? Your damn right I am. I will do whatever it takes to secure their right.]
Back to the subject at hand:
Again police are not educated enough, or experienced enough to know the difference between "if" the citizen has a mental illness or not.. Because a person is upset and flies off the handle does not automatically means he/she is mentally disturbed. It means the person is under a great deal of stress and does not know how to contain it/control self properly.
I have witness some hot headed cops in my days, does this conclude they are mentally ill? NOPE!! Well may be. But who am I to decide "if' they are mentally ill? I am no doctor. Diagnosing should be left up to doctors who are college educated and medically experienced to assess these kinds of things.....
Police are human too, just as citizen they deal with are human. Being emotional because something went wrong does not conclude your mentally ill PEOPLE! This mental illness diagnosing is getting way out of hand....it is when police who have no doctor degree and or law degree are allowed to force citizen into 72 hour lock up. Label you with a disorder they know nothing about (but what they have heard thru their peers/ 31D)
Anyway, I dont believe police are in the position to forcibly comit anyone, just as we citizens are not in the position to deprive police officer of his job because we feel he didn't take due care when he arrested little old lady.
In order for proper dianoses and to prevent depriving citizen of his/her civil rights, is for the Police department to hire a qualified mental health doctor to assess incoming citizens who 'may have' a mental health issue. It's common sense.-------Kade
County's Mental Health Officer Gives Sheriff's Office More Flexibility
Anniston Star via YellowBrix
November 03, 2008
For Uriah McElderry’s family, the stress of having a family member in and out of jail is well understood.
He was most recently arrested for threatening to shoot himself and everyone in the city courtroom Aug. 13.
Although his family disputes the threat to kill any one but himself, they agree he has a mental illness, and has been in and out of treatment and jail.
In fact, they asked for him to be sent to the Mental Health Center, where he could receive treatment.
Sgt. John Garlick, the deputy trained to deal with mental health issues, said McElderry’s case is a difficult one. Garlick’s introduction as the county’s first mental health officer in 2007 gives law enforcement much more flexibility to deal with the mentally ill, Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson said.
Garlick’s position allows him to commit people to medical treatment without their consent. Formerly, this power was limited to probate judges, he said.
He can commit people to a crisis bed for up to 72 hours. This is important if the person is suicidal and may not survive his or her time in prison, he said.
McElderry’s case is fairly straightforward in the eyes of the law. He committed a felony and has to serve time in jail. Anniston police Chief John Dryden said it is not always the case.
The response from law enforcement has to vary widely, he said. Sometimes the person is not a threat, and the best thing to do is to take them home or to the hospital. Other times, they are a threat to themselves or others. In that case, officers can send them to jail.
But Garlick cannot be everywhere at once. So officers often have to rely on their judgment and training, Dryden said.
All local law enforcement organizations give their officers some training in dealing with mental health issues.
Deputy David Becker found the training useful Tuesday, when he removed a woman from a bar west of Anniston on Alabama 202.
She threatened to kill herself, and Becker had to respond immediately, calming her down and ensuring she would be safe.
He said it might have been easier to take her to jail, but the intervention of her friends made that unnecessary.
Because Garlick is the only local law enforcement officer who can order someone into a mental health facility, he deals with mental health problems county-wide, including suicide threats, problem criminals and committing people to mental health treatment programs.
Garlick said people with mental health issues can be effectively treated and rehabilitated if they have committed a crime, but “mental illness is no excuse for bad behavior.”
An example, he said, is bipolar disorder, in which a person has extreme emotional and physical highs and lows. This can be treated effectively through group therapy and medication. A patient who has the disorder and plans for it can live a fairly normal life, he said.
It’s similar to diabetes, he said. In both cases, the person needs to visit a doctor, take medication and change his or her lifestyle.
But there are side effects to some medication, he said. In the case of bipolar disorder, patients on medication sometimes refer to life as being neutral, with little to no joy or color. Some men also experience impotence. Such symptoms can cause people to go off their medication, and their problems return, he said.
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Dear Senator Obama,
Please take the next step, and show real leadership, by demanding that Congress immediately begin drafting legislation to address regulating the banking industry, so that the current financial disaster will not happen again, and our country's economy can grow in a ethically and fiscally responsible manner. Even the supporters of the financial industry bailout agree that the current legislation before congress does not address the issue long term. It is incumbent on you as a senator, and presidential candidate to take the lead on this issue, and demand, among other things more transparency regarding financial instruments, and tougher truth-in-lending laws.
I think that more transparency is necessary so that banks can more clearly evaluate a particular instrument, so that the markets can more closely reflect reality.
One truth-in-lending regulation that I would like to see is that lenders be required to present borrowers who are considering adjustable rate loans a chart that shows clearly what their payments will be based on the change in the prime lending rates.
I hope you will take this seriously, and step out in front on this issue.
Adam Nisenholz
Dear Citizen,
If you agree with the sentiments in this blog post, please leave a comment. Also feel free to suggest additional or alternative features of new banking regulation.
Just a quick note about a statistic I noticed in today's paper. With regard to the recent, failed bail out legislation that was shot down in the house yesterday... John McPain and Scary Palin successfully secured a grand total of ZERO votes from thier own states representatives. It's pretty bad when you can't even get your own state to support you.
-Greg
Well you know what, McCain can lie all he wants and get his brainwashed followers to distort the truth like Dick Dean and Donald Barnhouse saying that Obama spent only 143 days in the Senate but how many more hours and days were spent researching and reading to have the knowledge to compose the laws and bills that passed. Did these so-called people so knowledgeable about experience clock up all the hours spent community organizing and getting into the real world of life in America.
And how about all the hours spent in college learning the ropes from A to Z or from a Freshman to a Juris Doctorate. And how about all the hours spent teaching others what was learned through education and community organizing.
Administrative experience: Dick Dean and Donald Barnhouse were talking about administrative experience and trying to embellish Palin's experience as Mayor of a town of about 5,000 peope when she was mayor (now about 8,000 people) and her experience of Governor of Alaska with a population of about 700,000.
Most of us have administrative experience. We are most of us heads of families. We manage our households, our incomes, our portfolios, our bank accounts. We plan family get-togethers, reunions, weddings, and our children's education. Who doesn't have administrative experience?
But what about Legislative experience? What kind of legislative experience does Palin have? The answer of course is none. She hasn't worked in Congress or the Senate or even state legislation.
And what about education. Both Palin and McCain only have Bachelor's degrees. Now I am not knocking a B.S. degree but given that both Barack Obama and Senator Biden have Juris Doctorates we can see who has the most experience in education.
And there might be those who knock education, but education accounts for long hours spent researching, reading, and writing - important qualities needed in legislation and leading.
But there is more to administering the welfare of a country than education and experience. There is also vision, insight, and empathy. Being able to see the big picture, looking deep into issues that are significant to look for changes that will make a better system, and being able to live in the shoes of all people and know their feelings. Barack Obama gives us all this just as some of our greatest leaders did. We can see in him a true leader, not just a future elected official.
Some people can lead by doing and others can only lead by lying and trying to make people think they are doing when they are really doing nothing.
We have a true leader in Barack Obama.
I posted the same blog on another site and received responses from two of my conservative friends. My replies follow below.
The first was my response to the theory of 'personal responsibility' being squarely on the workers' shoulders. It is my justification for saying there needed to be some kind of payback for the rampant corporate greed and taxing the wealthy would fit into that category.
The second is my preferred method of handling the situation.
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